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Happy Birthday Give Away!!!
El Gueguense
Sunday, January 17, I celebrated my 56th birthday and on this day the Feast of San Sebastian begins in Diriamba, Nicaragua. During the feast, the satirical drama, The Güegüense or the Dance of the Macho Raton will be performed.
In honor of my birthday and this most important celebration, I am giving away 10 copies of the ebook The Shenanigans of the Güegüense or Las picardías del Güegüense a folk tale from Nicaragua based on the street theatre, El Guenguense o la Danza Del Macho Raton during the week of the Festivals.
This story has been recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity for it depicts the plight of the natives after the Spaniards arrived. It is very important that we keep the cultural folktales of our native countries alive and help our children and grandchildren to know and understand these traditional tales. When El Güegüense o la Danza del Macho Raton was selected for this honor by UNESCO, it was stated,
“Despite its popularity, El Güegüense is in danger of declining, and possibly disappearing, owing to several factors: the country’s severe economic crises, insufficient national and local support for performers… In addition, many of those who are very active in transmitting their knowledge to future generations are already between 60 and 70 years of age.”
Indeed, the Güegüense has been compared to Shakespeare’s Falstaff from Henry IV and plays an important part in the history of Latinos everywhere, as it depicts the literary talents of the natives who lived here and their ability to use many different literary styles to depict a historical clash of two cultures that eventually learned to peacefully coexist. Certainly, there are many lessons to be learned from this tale and the beauty of preserving the art of our ancestors is one that all of us should be committing to.
If you would like to be in a drawing for this most beautiful work of art, please send me a PM and let me know if you are interested in the English or the Spanish version of the tale, both of which are available on Amazon as ebooks.
Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria
Living in the BIG G-Latina Gratitude Month
As Latina Gratitude Month draws to a close, let’s all remember that being grateful everyday for just that one moment in life, makes such a big difference and has such a huge impact. Enjoy, have fun, and bask in the inner peace and joy of the BIG “G”
Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria
An Attitude of Gratitude-Latina Gratitude Month
An attitude of gratitude makes a BIG difference. When you have to change your attitude, get in the vortex, start spinning into positive control…yes, an attitude of gratitude makes a HUGE difference!!! So if you are feeling blue, just start counting your blessings and giving silent thanks for all of the wonderful people in your life who care about you, love you, and inspire you!!!
Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria
Communication is the Key-Latina Gratitude Month
Give thanks today to someone who has been there for you, cared for you, and inspired you. They are the ones who will make a big difference in your life, they are the ones who make a difference in your life. Thank them with a mental note, a prayer, a quick text, a post, a tweet, a penned letter…Yeah, you got it, it is all good. Just say “Thanks for inspiring me…today and everyday!!!
Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria
The Leader in You-Latina Gratitude Month
Making a List, Thanking it Twice-Latina Gratitude Month
It is never too late to express gratitude, there can never be too many “Thank You’s” and appreciation is a bottomless well. So make a list and thank it twice, three times, or more…the possibilities are endless.
You don’t even have to thank again and again in person, just say a note of thanks and send it to the heavens!!!
Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria